Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 13

The meal was so bland I could hardly taste a thing.

I was gritting my teeth, hanging out with Hilary for a quick drink.

Hogan didn't join in; between us, we barely exchanged a few words during the entire dinner.

But his phone was buzzing non-stop.

Hogan wasn't annoyed, though. He patiently replied to each message, a smirk occasionally crossing his lips, barely touched his food, too.

Didn't need a crystal ball to know who was blowing up his messages.

Hilary saw it all, the worry in her eyes growing by the minute. Seizing the chance when Hogan stepped out, she vented to me, "Xaviera, what's gotten into Hogan? He's acting like he's possessed or something."

I got it.

After all, the old Hogan wouldn't dream of spending all his time texting back and forth.

Now he had changed.

After the meal, the Zade family's driver was waiting outside the restaurant. Hilary glanced at Hogan, still buried in his messages, and instructed, "It's late. You take Xaviera home."

Hogan acted as if he heard nothing.

I found myself an out, "Mrs. Hilary, I've called a ride."

A flicker of guilt crossed Hilary's eyes, rare for her.

Soon, it was just me and Hogan left in front of the restaurant. I was just firing up the rideshare app when Hogan's deep voice reached my ears, "Let's go."

I looked at him, surprised, realizing he meant to drive me home.

"Thanks, Mr. Zade, but I've got a ride."

Hogan stopped in his tracks, he calmly studying my face, then said with a hint of sarcasm, "What, worried your boyfriend will get the wrong idea?"

I dropped the act.

I mean, why waste seven or eight bucks on a ride if I could help it?

I'd got to say, the comfort of a luxury car was hard to beat.

And sure enough, no sooner had I settled into the passenger seat than my eyelids started squabbling with each other.

I'd been running on fumes for two or three days straight, and the alcohol was nudging me towards sleep.